Asheville Yoga Festival

Asheville Yoga Festival 2017 (AYF) continues its evolution into the preeminent yoga festival in the Southeast. This year’s expanded four-day Festival will include 70+ classes and over 40 renowned instructors. The Festival will take place in venues throughout downtown Asheville and will continue to highlight amazing local yoga teachers while also bringing in more nationally-recognized presenters to offer new perspectives on the practice. AYF is locally-owned by Asheville residents and yoga practitioners Amanda Hale and Sara LaStella, whose goal is to create a space for connection, adventure, play, relaxation and healing.

Attendees have the option to purchase three-day, four-day or daily tickets. The four-day ticket includes a choice of a special intensive session on Thursday. Festival goers will be able to select up to four classes per day Friday-Sunday. In addition to classes ranging from yin and Thai massage to fiery bahkti inversions, AYF will also host daily talks and presentations, with speakers addressing everything from body image to yoga photography to yoga and politics.

AYF is proud to offer live music in many classes and at New Mountain AVL. On Friday night, one of Australia’s most iconic voices, Xavier Rudd, will take the stage. A multi-instrumentalist, surfer & activist, Xavier’s has an astounding ability to connect with people. MC YOGI will perform live with DJ Sol Rising on Saturday night. MC YOGI blends his love and knowledge of yoga culture with hip hop, electronic and reggae music. Sol Rising’s original soundscapes evoke feelings of bliss throughout an eclectic mix of electronic music and hip-hop.

The Vendor Village will feature 30+ vendors in Pack Square Park, offering everything from jewelry and art work to body care products and fresh, organic food. The YogaSlackers will also be located in the Vendor Village, offering festival goers the opportunity to play on the lines or sign up for a class. Additionally, there will be a daily yoga practice open to the public and other activities available to the entire community.

THE BLOCK off Biltmore and Appalachian Healing Arts will offer rest and relaxation throughout the Festival weekend. There will be massage, acupuncture, and other healing arts modalities available for all attendees.

Other Festival activities include a guided hike, a wellness tour of downtown Asheville, a kayak river cleanup excursion, and a farm-to-table dinner at Local Provisions. There will also be classes for specific audiences, such as service members and veterans and those participating in 12-step programs.

A portion of AYF’s proceeds will benefit local non-profit Light a Path. Founded by a group of Asheville based yogis and practitioners. Light a Path works to connect service-minded yoga teachers, somatic therapists, and body workers to underserved populations in WNC. More information on their work can be found at http://www.lightapath.org/about/